Why is there an 8 week gap between seeing a MW?

[chattychattyboomba]

I don't get it. Last appointment was 20 week scan. Next appointment is glucose test on Friday (am 28 weeks tomorrow).
That's 2 months! Is it just me or does that seem a little neglectful? It would be helpful to see a MW and discuss things since I haven't even had the opportunity (or been asked) about where/how I would like to give birth, previous history, how I have been for the past 2 months! Etc
It's my 2nd baby so not sure why I'm surprised. I guess I forgot!
Anyone else think this is strange?

[gamerchick]

No. An uneventful boring pregnancy is what you want. They'll ramp up soon anyroad.

[chattychattyboomba]

Yes obviously I don't want anything bad to happen, but that's why I would expect some reassurance.

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

I saw my midwife today (16 weeks) and won't see her again until 28 weeks. I think you get less appointments with second and subsequent babies. Has she given you a number to call if you're worried about anything?

[LoveBeingCantThinkOfAName]

2nd pg there were less appts

[AuntieStella]

You get frequent appointments if you have problems in this or previous PGs. Lucky you that there are no concerns in yours.

[YoureBeingASillyBilly]

Umm- neglectful are you serious with that comment? If you had something wrong or something to discuss you would have contacted your midwife surely? you do know how stretched maternity care is right? 8 weeks is fine for a healthy 2nd pregnancy.

[chattychattyboomba]

Yes yes lucky....I guess I just should stop exposing myself to horrible stories where things seem 'perfectly fine' but weren't.
Also I'm winding myself up about having to deliver a 10.5lbs baby again and want answers. Not that it makes much difference when I get them...hmmm ok fine. I'll chill out.

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

Neglectful? The brutal truth is that, if something goes wrong this early, you rock up at hospital and they do what they can. There really isn't much to monitor or keep an eye on yet.

I can understand stressing about the birth, but there's really not much point doing much yet is there? If you want to talk about ELCS or something 28 weeks is still bags of time. Any other birth preference, well so much can change that it's jumping the gun a bit.

If you have a problem, you can contact them. Otherwise, just be thankful you don't I think. I'm 33 weeks (DC3) and I'm quite glad not to be someone they have needed to focus on recently.

[Roshbegosh]

Being pregnant is not an illness. Relax.

[chattychattyboomba]

Yes. I do realise how under pressure antenatal care is...which I guess does nothing to ease my worries. I stupidly watched a show about children in special care (premature births etc) also read a few comments on here such as 'water broke at 28 weeks, DH made it to hospital just in time to say goodbye' etc! And I was living in a little care free bubble of bliss until then... Now I feel like...what if they missed something up until now? What if it could be prevented? What if what if what if? I felt very dizzy yesterday and then brushed it off...then I started to think on no what if I'm cutting off some kind of blood pressure and baby is not getting oxygen etc etc etc...all completely far fetched and unlikely but I am pregnant and hormonal and....doesn't anyone understand?!?

[TheBookofRuth]

I'm almost halfway through my second high risk pregnancy and I have to see a consultant every fortnight. Swap? I'm sick of the sight of the hospital already.

[starkadder]

I see them all the time. It takes up loads of time. It's horrible. And it is because there is a high risk of problems. So, I would be careful what you wish for.

[YoureBeingASillyBilly]

Yes- we understand. But we still say chill!

Look if you have an actual concern that something is wrong as opposed to paranoia then contact your midwife or if urgent then go straight in. Otherwise turn off the tv and relax. Distract yourself with a hobby or work or dc1.

[chattychattyboomba]

Roshbegosh- a little harsh.

[gamerchick]

Well how are you? Baby moving about plenty?

If you're concerned about dizziness then it won't hurt to give your midwife a ring.

[chattychattyboomba]

Thanks for asking gamerchick. I'm ok actually and don't want to complain as I clearly am one of the lucky ones but since you asked...
I spent the first 24 weeks vomiting up to 10 times a day. Lost 10kg from week 10-14. That's roughly 22lbs. Or about 15% of my body weight in that time. I couldn't keep water down.
I have been taking antiemetics prescribed to me in Australia (where we were over Christmas). And now finally back up to my pre-pregnancy body weight. The tablets make me extremely constipated (tmi) which- whilst unpleasant is relatively harmless.
I feel exhausted constantly and lately a little dizzy. I have pelvic girdle pain which makes it very difficult and painful to walk far- not to mention sleeping is uncomfortable and I wake up with hip pain- they literally crack and pop. So whilst being pregnant isn't an 'illness' as such....it's always good to have a bit if care along the way. Not saying every week! Just once a month check in I would have thought would be sufficient.

Btw reassuringly baby seems ok from what I can tell. Active mostly in the evenings. I guess I will just wait until Friday and 'chill' as others have said.

[peeapod]

Yes, i agree with you. 2 months is a long time to wait between appointments. its fustrating and annoying. I personally hated the 8 week wait for my first appointment more. But i guess its standard practice for a reason.
Seeing a midwife is only part of the care the nhs gives to pregnant women. Have you noticed how easy it is to get a gps appt when you need it, or have you got a dedicated number to ring for emergencies? Gone to the hospital to have scans etc etc.
The best advice i can give you is not to compare yourself to anyone elses pregnancy. This is your pregnancy and yours alone. Theres a load of advice (at least in my notes there is) about what is concerning and who to call and what to do about those concerns. The only other place i go to for advice is the nhs so i dont panic myself through googling.
By this point you should be gearing up to go to antenatal classes, and the last 10 weeks where you are monitored more.
Hope this helps...

[PenguinsEatSpinach]

Chatty- sorry to hear you are having such a rubbish time. You know that you can make an appointment with your GP or midwife if you need to see them for your own health issues don't you?

But in terms of worry about the baby, whilst I can understand it totally, there really isn't much that would get picked up at a standard midwife appointment about pending problems of that nature. It is basically just urine, blood pressure and listen to heartbeat. Nothing there would really alert them to a pending problem like extremely premature labour. And, to be horribly blunt, for the first half of that window there is basically nothing they can do anyway. Even after that it is very much a question of managing the crisis as best they possibly can. Part of the reason that they keep a closer eye on you later is that, if there are signs of a problem, an early delivery may be a life saving option.

Soon you'll be into the home stretch of regular appointments, and I hope that helps you.

[Evie2014]

Would you go for a private extra scan? I don't know how you'd do that but I see it discussed quite a bit on these boards. People seem to like the reassurance. Maybe it might help? Try a search for one of the many threads here.

[squizita]

Pregnancy is not an illness, but it is a health condition.

Some of us have to inject medication daily to keep our beans alive.

Hearing "pregnancy is not an illness" is a sickening cliche: the pregnancy may not be, but my health condition is.

And as others have said - the constant trips to docs and hospitals aren't great when you're actually going. However MW are always on the end of the phone, plus a private scan can be v reassuring.

[Booboostoo]

Standards seem to vary wildly between countries. I am in France where I get seen every month by the gynea until month 7 when my care gets passed to the hospital who then see me every month until month 9 when the appointments become more frequent. In addition there are 6 appointments with a MW for birthing classes. The ultrasounds are also extra. I also have blood tests every month and the glucose test is standard for everyone.

[whereisthewitch]

I had a high risk pg with dd that ended up with pre eclampsia and early induction.
Ive had issues in this pregnancy already and was told I'd be kepy an eye on closely. Im going to see the MW next week (26wks) and that will be the first ive seen anyone since wk 16!!
Have to say im very disappointed with lack of care, and I can sympathise I had HG until 20wks.
I

[Bornin1984]

Pregnancies are treated on individual basis! I think it's rather harsh to call it lack of basic care or neglectful when it's clearly all the care you need at that particular time of pregnancy! That's not to say that won't change over time! I'm 31 weeks into a high risk consultant led pregnancy, I have been to see consultant every two weeks since l found out I was pregnant! I spend every other Tuesday afternoon in ante natal... What I would give to have a "normal midwifery led pregnancy" and only see the midwife at the regular appts!

Any of us can go into premature labour! It's a worry for us all. A worry when u have reduced movements boy I have had plenty of them, but there is also a service inbetween where u can be reviewed! At our hospital under twenty weeks you go gynae and over twenty u go maternity triage!

You can also ring for advice if needed!

Be thankful some of your pregnancies are without trouble because there's people like me who wish there's was!!

[Bornin1984]

And pre eclampsia mostly occurs in later pregnancy and pp you will probably be more closely monitored in the later stage

[moomin35]

Some of these comments sound a little harsh to me! I know what you mean, i am first time mum and the length between appointments seems like ages, yes its true we are lucky that we have healthy pregnancies and dont need to be seen all the time at the same time its reassuring to know from the professionals that all is well xx